1. Introduction; 2. Parallel imports in Japan; 3. European Community : The Treaty of Rome EEC case law on parallel imports; 4. United States : Patents; Trademarks; Remedies outside of patent law? 5. A case for pharmaceuticals; 6. TRIPS Agreement; 7. Parallel imports through the lens of economic theory : "Free riding"; Labor theory; Property theory; Investment theory; Reward theory; Social welfare theory; Monopoly theory; Rent seeking theory; 8. Conclusion;.